Wednesday, September 14, 2011

What Difference Does It Make?




My second game with the Jerome Gambit against my opponent was similar, in many ways, to our first game. The slight differences, however, turned out to make all the difference in the world.



perrypawnpusher - kholthaus
blitz, FICS, 2011

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Nc3 h6 5.0-0 Bc5



The Semi-Italian Four Knights Game.

6.Bxf7+

The Semi-Italian Four Knights Jerome Gambit.

6...Kxf7 7.Nxe5+ Nxe5 8.d4


8...Bxd4 9.Qxd4 d6 10.f4 Nc6 11.Qd3 Re8 12.Bd2 Kg8 13.Rae1 a6


When I checked The Database after the game, I was surprised to find that our game from last year, perrypawnpusher - kholthaus, blitz, FICS, 2010 (0-1, 45) was identical up until Black's last move.

In our earlier game, kholthaus had first repositioned his Rook with 13...Rf8, and then, after my 14.h3, he had played 14...a6. The text move is a refinement of Black's play, as my opponent now saw no need to shuffle the Rook.

It is useful to mention the next few moves of the earlier game, as well: 15.Nd5 Be6 16.Bc3 Bxd5 17.exd5 Ne7 When Black was clearly better, with a safe King and the material advantage of a piece for a pawn.

14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5 Ne7 16.Bc3 Bf5


As in the first game, my opponent has exchanged off my advanced Knight this time using his Knight, instead of his Bishop.

What, then, to do with the surviving Black Bishop this time around? Why, attack the enemy Queen, of course!

17.Qd4 Black resigned

Surprisingly, mate is unavoidable.

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